Pak to participate in Saarc conference on coronavirus

Islamabad, March 14: Pakistan has said it will participate in a video conference of Saarc member countries proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to combat the fastspreading coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 5,000 people globally.

Prime Minister Modi reached out to the eightmember regional grouping on Friday and pitched for a video conference among the leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to chalk out a strong strategy to combat coronavirus outbreak ..

Pakistan responded positively to Mr Modi’s proposal, saying it was ready to participate in the conference, acknowledging that coordinated efforts were needed to minimise the threat. ■

Islamabad, March 14: Pakistan has said it will participate in a video conference of SAARC member countries proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to combat the fastspreading coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 5,000 people globally.

Prime Minister Modi reached out to the eightmember regional grouping on Friday and pitched for a video conference among the leaders of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) to chalk out a strong strategy to combat coronavirus outbreak.

Pakistan responded positively to Mr Modi’s proposal, saying it was ready to participate in the conference, acknowledging that coordinated efforts were needed to minimise the threat posed by the deadly coronavirus.

“We have communicated that SAPM (special assistant to Pakistani Prime Minister) on health (Zafar Mirza) will be available to participate in the video conference of Saarc member countries on the issue,” Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said in a tweet on Friday.

Mr Mirza is leading Pakistan’s campaign against the virus.

In a series of tweets, Mr Modi said, “Our planet is battling the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. At various levels, governments and people are trying their best to combat it. South Asia, which is home to a significant number of the global population should leave no stone unturned to ensure our people are healthy.”

“I would like to propose that the leadership of Saarc nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus. We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy. Together,

we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet,” he said in another tweet.

Mr Modi’s suggestion was backed by all member states of Saarc. All the leaders of the grouping welcomed the Prime Minister’s proposal. Pakistan’s response to the proposal came late in the night.

On Thursday, Ms Farooqui had said Pakistan was ready to cooperate and extend any assistance to its neighbours to deal with coronavirus.

The novel coronavirus originated in China’s Wuhan city in December last year and has killed over 5,000 people and infected more than 134,000 globally. China remains the worst-hit with 3,189 deaths and 80,824 confirmed cases of infection.

PRIME MINISTER’S suggestion was backed by all member states of Saarc. All the leaders of the grouping welcomed the Prime Minister’s proposal. Pakistan’s response to the proposal came late in the night.